The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Target are recalling about 350,000
woven storage trunks after a toddler sustained a traumatic brain injury
when the trunk lid fell on the back of her neck, pinning her throat against
the trunk rim. The 18-month old’s parents have filed a products
liability lawsuit against Target.
Eric and Laura Surman say that when the wicker trunk’s lid landed
on their daughter’s neck, it cut off her oxygen supply. According
to couple’s products liability lawyers, the little girl cannot eat
without assistance, requires the use of a feeding tube, cannot see properly,
cannot speak, and is unable to move her legs or arms.
The couple’s injuries to a child lawsuit claims that Target marketed
the trunk as appropriate for storing toys even though the units do not
meet industry standards or CPSC recommendations for toy boxes, which require
a hinge or support that prevents toy box lids from accidentally shutting.
Their products liability complaint contends that the trunk should have
come with a failure to warn that the boxes lacked the appropriate safety
mechanism, as required by a chest used for storing toys.
Consumers are urged to stop using the storage trunks and bring them back
to a Target store for a replacement or a refund. 14 different models of
trunks made of abaca, woven rattan, or banana life are involved in the
recall. There have been two other reports of kids who were injured when
their trunks lids also closed on them.
Target’s woven storage trunks are considered a strangulation hazard.
Dangers involving containers with lids used to store toys:

According to the CPSC, at least 45 children have died because the lids
of containers used to store toys fell on their necks or heads

At least three incidents resulted in permanent TBI’s

Child injuries and deaths have also resulted from storage boxes used to
hold blankets, shoes, decorate cubes, and other items

Children risk injury when they use the chest to pull themselves up. Without
the proper safety mechanism in place, this can cause the lid to fall on
a child, striking the head or trapping the neck against the edge of the
chest or box. If the lid falls while the child is inside the chest, he/she
she may become trapped while risking suffocation.
Injured Cranberry Girl’s Parents Sue Target Over Toy Box, ThePittsburghChannel,
March 8, 2010
Target Recalls Storage Trunks Due to Strangulation Hazard, CPSC, May 20, 2010
Related Web Resources: CPSC Warns Consumers of Dangers With Toy Chest Lids, CPSC.gov
Toy Safety, National Network for Child Care